The others jumped lithely off their horses. I stayed where I was. I wasn’t convinced that, even with Byron’s helpful advice, I’d be able to walk without bowed legs. I was going to take my time.

‘Look,’ Diana Darroch said softly, pointing ahead. ‘There it is.’

I frowned. ‘It’ was another gap in the landscape leading to another narrow passageway, almost identical to the one we’d just left. The only difference was that this one was even darker and even more of a tight squeeze. I eyed the gap then glanced at Barbie. There was no way she’d fit. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if I would fit.

Malcolm strode forward, halting right in front of it. He placed his palm flat against the air. That was when I saw what had really grabbed the attention of the others. There was a ripple in the air, almost like heat rising – but this was Scotland in October. It might be a sunny day but it was still damned cold.

As I watched, he pushed his hand further in. It was as if he was pressing against a vast, invisible force. He shivered and quickly withdrew.

‘We’re here,’ he announced. ‘I can feel it.’

My skin prickled and when I glanced down, I saw goosebumps on my arms.

‘We shall have to leave the horses here,’ Aifric said.

‘How far is it to the Foinse?’ I asked. If it was going to be a long hike, I wasn’t sure my aching muscles would make it without a hot bath and long massage first. I looked at Byron. Perhaps he could…

‘I don’t know,’ Aifric replied. ‘A few hours, I expect.’

‘We should eat first,’ Diana said. ‘Then we can leave the rest of our supplies here.’

He pursed his lips. ‘Good idea.’

Byron walked past me. He was whistling and carrying some wood which he must have collected from the campsite. He turned up and gave me an arch look. ‘You’re going to have to get off sometime,’ he said. His mouth curled up in a smile. ‘Barbie needs the rest. Would you like some help?’

I had a sudden vision of falling on top of him because I couldn’t hold my own weight any more. He’d definitely be carrying some wood then, I’d straddle his chest. It would be similar to our position in the penthouse – except the ground was hard and there was an audience.

‘It’s fine,’ I sniffed. ‘I can manage.’ I looked helplessly round and caught Lily’s eye.

She beamed at me and danced over. Byron’s smirk grew then he continued on his way.

‘How are you, Chieftain?’ she asked.

‘I’m okay, Lily but I might need a bit of help getting down. I’m rather stiff.’